Workforce development meeting focuses on opportunities for small and minority based companies

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -
Local industries, government officials and educational institutions describe the future of Southwest Louisiana as “building an airplane as we fly it” at the Lake Charles Energy Workforce Development and Supplier Diversity Strategy meeting held at SOWELA. The two forum meeting included a 3 hour session focusing on how to get small and minority owned businesses involved in the expected economic surge.

“We want to include everyone,” said Lake Charles city assistant administrator Eligha Guillory Jr. “It’s a lot of dollars going out, it’s a lot of projects going out and we want to make sure that everyone is at the table.

Angela Washington, a business development specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, was one of the attendees and says small and minority owned business simply need guidance and access to the right information to get involved.

“These companies are trying to find information on these projects and when they will happen,” said Washington. “What’s the value of the projects? What type of certifications will be necessary and how they can benefit from pursuing these particular opportunities.”

Washington says most of the minority-based companies that could be in high demand are labor focused such as construction, welding, plumbing and other technical trades, but are the companies facilitating the big dollar projects open to new partnerships?

“They seem very receptive to want to understand how to best work with minority business communities,” said Washington. “I think it’s very promising. It’s just a matter of really knowing how to access the information, how to engage the companies and being prepared when that time comes.”

Guillory says he wants to remind small and minority based companies that their involvement in the economic growth is a top priority.

“This is serious,” said Guillory. “This is major. We want to communicate to everyone that this is not just a dog and pony show. This is serious and we have projects coming. We all want to take part and we all want to be a part of it.”

The forum also featured speaker LaDoris “Dot” Harris with the U.S. Department of Energy. She says Southwest Louisiana, and Lake Charles in particular, are poised for substantial growth regarding energy opportunities.

Theaters around the country including right here in Lake Charles are selling out for the movie Black panther. But for many in the community they got a chance to see the movie for free, thanks to one Lake Charles native. The mall food court was packed Saturday. As a large group enjoyed their tea,lemonade, pizza and boudin, but the mall food court wasn't their final stop. Because everyone was headed to the movies to see Black Panther. Marrion Borden was so e...More >>

Theaters around the country including right here in Lake Charles are selling out for the movie Black panther. But for many in the community they got a chance to see the movie for free, thanks to one Lake Charles native. The mall food court was packed Saturday. As a large group enjoyed their tea,lemonade, pizza and boudin, but the mall food court wasn't their final stop. Because everyone was headed to the movies to see Black Panther. Marrion Borden was so e...More >>

Tonight, the showers will start to wind down. There should not be much rain left after midnight. Clouds will linger overnight. It will still be a muggy night, with temperatures not cooling down very much. I’m forecasting a low of 59 degrees, but it may not cool down that far overnight. By Sunday, the same front that stalled over us, will begin to weaken. Therefore, I do not think there will be many showers around. I’m keeping a 20% for a little bit of drizzle overnight.

Tonight, the showers will start to wind down. There should not be much rain left after midnight. Clouds will linger overnight. It will still be a muggy night, with temperatures not cooling down very much. I’m forecasting a low of 59 degrees, but it may not cool down that far overnight. By Sunday, the same front that stalled over us, will begin to weaken. Therefore, I do not think there will be many showers around. I’m keeping a 20% for a little bit of drizzle overnight.

It's been more than five years in the making, but Saturday Captain Daniel Johannes Goos now stands over the lakefront in Lake Charles. Crowds of people gathered by the Lakefront Promenade this morning all waiting to see the the statue of Captain Daniel Johannes Goos. "When you mention Captain Daniel Goos you may get he sounds familiar or if you're lucky you get oh like Goosport," said descendant Erik Jessen.

It's been more than five years in the making, but Saturday Captain Daniel Johannes Goos now stands over the lakefront in Lake Charles. Crowds of people gathered by the Lakefront Promenade this morning all waiting to see the the statue of Captain Daniel Johannes Goos. "When you mention Captain Daniel Goos you may get he sounds familiar or if you're lucky you get oh like Goosport," said descendant Erik Jessen.

KPLC's Black History Month profiles continue with a couple who knew how to let the good times roll. When Bernard Beaco married his wife Dolores in 1955, he never imagined that their move to Lake Charles would be long term. But as the years went by they made an impact, one that can be felt especially during Mardi Gras season. "We did everything together.," said Bernard. "We were a twosome." If you saw Bernard Beaco, Dolores was usually rig...

KPLC's Black History Month profiles continue with a couple who knew how to let the good times roll. When Bernard Beaco married his wife Dolores in 1955, he never imagined that their move to Lake Charles would be long term. But as the years went by they made an impact, one that can be felt especially during Mardi Gras season. "We did everything together.," said Bernard. "We were a twosome." If you saw Bernard Beaco, Dolores was usually rig...

The city of Sulphur reports that all city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th, 2018, in observance of President's Day. There will be no interruptions to the residential garbage collection schedule.

The city of Sulphur reports that all city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th, 2018, in observance of President's Day. There will be no interruptions to the residential garbage collection schedule.